Connector Assembly and Related Methods

Abstract

A connector assembly includes a connector body defining a cavity and having a rim extending around the cavity. The connector assembly includes a terminal housing removably-disposed within the cavity. The connector assembly includes a cover removably-coupled to the connector body. The cover includes a shoulder and a rail disposed adjacent to the shoulder. In an assembled orientation, the shoulder is configured to engage the rim, and the rail is disposed within the cavity and is configured to engage the terminal housing to secure the terminal housing within the cavity.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A connector assembly comprising:
 a connector body defining a cavity and including a rim extending around the cavity;   a terminal housing removably-disposed within the cavity; and   a cover removably-coupled to the connector body, the cover including a shoulder and a rail disposed adjacent to the shoulder, the shoulder configured to engage the rim in an assembled orientation, and the rail disposed within the cavity and configured to engage the terminal housing to secure the terminal housing within the cavity in the assembled orientation.   
     
     
         2 . The connector assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the terminal housing includes an outer rim, and wherein the rail is configured to engage the outer rim. 
     
     
         3 . The connector assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the rail extends from the shoulder. 
     
     
         4 . The connector assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the cover includes a second shoulder and a second rail extending from the second shoulder. 
     
     
         5 . The connector assembly of  claim 4 , wherein the second shoulder is substantially parallel to the shoulder. 
     
     
         6 . The connector assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the shoulder includes a first engagement surface extending in a first direction and configured to engage the rim, and wherein the rail includes a second engagement surface extending in the first direction and configured to engage the terminal housing. 
     
     
         7 . The connector assembly of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the connector body includes a wall and a first detent extending from the wall; and   the cover includes a second detent configured to engage the first detent to removably-secure the cover to the connector body.   
     
     
         8 . The connector assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a second terminal housing removably-disposed within the cavity, wherein, in the assembled orientation, the rail is configured to engage the second terminal housing. 
     
     
         9 . A connector assembly comprising:
 a connector body including a first upper surface facing a first direction;   a terminal housing removably-disposed within the connector body and including a second upper surface facing the first direction; and   a cover removably-coupled to the connector body, the cover including a shoulder and a rail offset from the shoulder, the shoulder configured to engage the first upper surface in an assembled orientation, and the rail disposed within a cavity of the connector body and configured to engage the second upper surface to secure the terminal housing within the cavity in the assembled orientation.   
     
     
         10 . The connector assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the terminal housing includes an outer rim, and wherein the rail is configured to engage the outer rim. 
     
     
         11 . The connector assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the rail extends from the shoulder. 
     
     
         12 . The connector assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the cover includes a second shoulder and a second rail extending from the second shoulder. 
     
     
         13 . The connector assembly of  claim 12 , wherein the second shoulder is substantially parallel to the shoulder. 
     
     
         14 . The connector assembly of  claim 9 , wherein:
 the connector body includes a wall and a first detent extending from the wall; and   the cover includes a second detent configured to engage the first detent to removably-secure the cover to the connector body.   
     
     
         15 . The connector assembly of  claim 9 , further comprising a second terminal housing removably-disposed within the cavity, wherein, in the assembled orientation, the rail is configured to engage the second terminal housing. 
     
     
         16 . A method of assembling a connector assembly, the method comprising:
 disposing a terminal housing within a connector body;   coupling a cover to the connector body;   engaging a shoulder of the cover with a rim of the connector body;   disposing a rail of the cover within the connector body; and   engaging the rail with the terminal housing to inhibit movement of the terminal housing relative to the connector body.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the terminal housing includes an outer rim, and wherein the method further comprises engaging the rail with the outer rim. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the shoulder includes a first engagement surface extending in a first direction, and the rail includes a second engagement surface extending in the first direction, and wherein the method further comprises:
 engaging the first engagement surface with the rim; and   engaging the second engagement surface with the terminal housing.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the connector body includes a wall and a first detent extending from the wall, and the cover includes a second detent, and wherein the method further comprises engaging the first detent with the second detent to removably-secure the cover to the connector body. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising:
 disposing a second terminal housing within the connector body; and   engaging the rail with the second terminal housing.